PM Modi says India must move forward by embracing both development & heritage; Urges nation to shed colonial mindset

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that India has remained eternal for thousands of years because of it’s eternal ideas, philosophy and wisdom. Inaugurating the centenary celebrations of Acharya Vidyanand Ji Maharaj in New Delhi, Mr. Modi said, India is the world’s most ancient living civilization and the source of this timeless philosophy lies in the sages, seers, saints and Acharyas of the country.

He added that Acharya Vidyanand Muni is a modern beacon of this ancient Indian tradition. He also said, Acharya Shri Vidyanand Ji did not limit his life to mere spiritual practice, but made it a powerful medium for the reconstruction of society and culture.

Mr Modi said, the nation must move forward by embracing both development and heritage. He said, with this resolve at the core, Government are also developing country’s cultural sites and pilgrimage places. The Prime Minister said, the centre has granted classical language status to Prakrit and also running a campaign to digitize India’s ancient manuscripts. He stressed to free the nation from colonial mindset.

Mr Modi said, India is a country devoted to service and humanity. He said, while the world tried to quell violence with violence for thousands of years, India introduced the power of non-violence. The Prime Minister said, the nation placed the spirit of serving humanity above all else.

He said, whether it is the PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Ayushman Bharat Yojana or the provision of free foodgrains to the needy, all these initiatives reflect the spirit of seva bhav (service)towards the last person in the queue of society. Mr Modi said, the goal is to achieve saturation in the coverage of these schemes so that no one is left behind, and everyone can move forward together.

In his address, Union Culture and Tourism inister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, from spiritual contemplation to global geopolitical turbulence, the life philosophy of Acharya Shri Vidyanand Ji Maharaj is still relevant today. Special postage stamp and commemorative coin was released on the occasion.

The programme marked the formal commencement of a year-long national tribute, being organised by the government, in collaboration with Bhagwan Mahaveer Ahimsa Bharti Trust to honour the 100th birth anniversary of Acharya Vidyanand Ji Maharaj. He was a revered Jain spiritual leader and social reformer.

The year-long celebration will include cultural, literary, educational, and spiritual initiatives across the country, aimed at celebrating his life and legacy and spreading his message. Acharya Vidyanand Ji Maharaj authored more than 50 works on Jain philosophy and ethics. He played an instrumental role in the restoration and revival of ancient Jain temples across India and worked for education, especially in Prakrit, Jain philosophy, and classical languages.